4D Animation for Project

Delivery

4D = time + 3D

Martin Fischer
fischer@stanford.edu
Professor, Civil & Env. Eng.
Director, Center for Integrated Facility
Engineering
Stanford University
Goals for 4D Animation and Session
• Learn how 4D modeling supports the
communication of dynamic time-space
information about critical aspects of a
project’s lifecycle.
 Personal History of 4D Modeling
• 1984: first work with 3D models
• 1987: saw first 4D model at Bechtel
• 1988: built 3D building information modeler
• 1993: built first 4D model
• 1996: prototyped VR interface for 4D modeling
• 1996: started research on automating 4D modeling
• 1998: developed easy-to-learn 4D modeling tool (now Common
Point Project 4D)
• 1998: started research on computer-based analysis of
schedules with 4D models
• 1999: started research on multi-screen group interaction with
4D models
• 2005: started research to extend 4D modeling beyond
construction
• To date: helped deploy 4D models in many project phases on
40+ small and large projects totaling $5B+
Visualize the construction of this schedule
How much of the steel structure
is erected when the air handler
unit (AHU) arrives?
Who else is working near the
mechanical contractor when the
AHU is installed?

Where should the AHU be

unloaded and how should it be
moved to its final position?
Where will the steel contractor
have the cranes when the AHU is
installed?
AHU cannot be installed at this time
 Creating a 4D Model
Schedule (MSP)
from construction
planner
Amsterdam 3D model (Revit)
from 3D modeler
Neumarkt

Transfer 3D
CAD elements
Transfer and their
activity data organization

4D Model (Common
Point Project 4D, GSim)
from 4D modeler
Amsterdam

Example from Max Bögl, Neumarkt, and Nick Liao and Peggy Ho, CIFE, Stanford University
Leverage information you already have and
make it work for you
4D Playback and Navigation

3D CAD Elements
4D Components
4D View

Activities
 Using a 4D Model for Construction
Planning
Provide construction input to
conceptual project planning

Develop
Allocate
construction
Crews
strategy

Conceptual project Design Procurement Construction Start-up Operations

planning & design

Coordinate construction with other project concerns

 Provide construction input to
conceptual project planning

Courtesy Walt Disney

Imagineering,
Glendale, CA

Need knowledge about:

• Major construction strategies, risks, cost implications, temporary and
permanent access and utilities
• Issues and constraints for the project designers and public agencies
• Overall economics of the project
 Coordinate construction with other
project concerns

Courtesy DPR Construction, Inc., Redwood City, CA

Need knowledge about:

• Systems and materials for the major project elements (foundations,
structural system, exterior skin, interiors, etc.) and construction methods
• Ripple effects of construction method decisions and the timing of these
decisions on the project goals
 Develop construction strategy

Courtesy Mortenson, Minneapolis, MN

Need knowledge about:
• Activity sequencing for a design, materials, construction methods, site
conditions
• Safety, quality, cost, other risks
• Capabilities of labor and equipment
• Decision sequence for a productive and effective construction planning phase
• Possible adjustments to the facility design to improve its constructability
 Allocate Crews

Courtesy Accu-Crete, Alexandria, VA

Need knowledge about:

• Details of the construction methods
• Site conditions and project-specific goals and circumstances
• Capabilities of the specific crews working on site
• The project’s master schedule and related flexibilities
• Performance of other subcontractors
 Use of 4D models with multiple
screens to compare schedules

Work with DPR Construction, Inc. and with Calvin Kam and Kathleen Liston
 Other 4D Model Examples
• Safety analysis
• Prefab studies and analysis
– Project level (how do prefab elements fit
together)
– Work level (how does a prefab element get
built)
• Work method analysis and communication
– Walls
– Piles
 Issues with 4D modeling
• Availability of a schedule
• Organization and level of detail of
schedules and 3D models
• Software compatibility
• Use of 4D models in construction
management workflows
• Clear plan for the development and review
of 4D models
– Stakeholders
– Issues, purpose
– Level of detail, accuracy, scope needed
• Other model uses
 What’s next?
• Parametric 4D modeling
• Linking 4D models to other project information (e.g.,
specifications)
• Adding temporary structures to a 4D model automatically
• Increasing the level of detail of 4D models to support daily
work planning
• Adding schedules other than construction to 4D models,
e.g., maintenance schedules
• Including time-based information other than schedules,
e.g., conditions of a structure, energy performance
• Calculating performance of a facility or cluster of facilities
over time from a 4D model
 Parametric 4D modeling
• Starting point
• Direction/flow of work
• Production rate
• Production rate parameters

Videoclip Courtesy Max Bögl, Germany, with Peggy Ho, Stanford University
Linking 3D models and specifications
for detailed work planning and
inspection support
Condition Feature Ontology
Feature 3D CAD
3D components or their parts that
have important engineering
meaning (e.g., wall, surface)

Relative positions Reasoning

Spatial relationships between
components and context (e.g.,
exposed, concealed)

Attributes Product model

Permanent properties (e.g.,
material info.)

Status Process model

Changeable properties
(e.g., schedule at a given time)
Add temporary structures automatically
4D model without
to 4D models
temporary structures
• Representation of the geometric
and action conditions of the
project situation
• Feature Analysis
• Selection of appropriate
temporary structures 4D model with the
• 3D model and installation selected temporary
schedule of the selected structures
temporary structures

TSP Generator

Available temporary
structures
Managing and Learning about
Construction Play by Play
 Facility Lifecycle Modeling in 4D

Cost
over
time
Environmental
conditions over
time
Predicted Observed
Maintenance condition of conditions
and other systems and (inspection
activities materials reports)

With Zixiao Zhang, Stanford

 23
4D model plus metrics
CO2 Electric Water Gas
Traffic
Emissions Use Use Use

Water
Manufacturing

CO2 emission

Demand
Traffic
cluster
Commercial
cluster Electricity
Logistics Gas
Growth and cluster
Job creation Jan 2010 Jan 2010 Jan 2010

Laborer
Jobs created

(manufacturing)
Laborer
(construction)
Engineer
Banker 4D simulation
Jan 2010
Sewage
Generated

Manufacturing

Sewage
cluster
Construction Commercial
cluster
Labor Logistics
Demand cluster
Jan 2010
Manufacturing
Labor demand

cluster
Commercial
cluster
Logistics
cluster
Jan 2010

Construction Legend
Contribution
Investment Material
To GDP Environmental metrics
Demand

Social metrics
Investment

Manufacturing Domestic Steel

GDP Cont.

Demand

cluster
Commercial International Concrete
cluster Economic metrics
Logistics Glass
cluster
Jan 2010 Jan 2010
In Summary, 4D Models Support
• Strategic project planning
• Coordination of construction with other
lifecycle phases
• Testing of construction methods
• Planning and control of projects
• Studies of prefabrication opportunities
• Understanding safety and other risks
• Many lifecycle considerations (structural
performance, energy performance, …)
• Etc.